Sheriff’s Deputies Seize 6 Endangered Tortoises
Sheriff’s deputies seized six endangered desert tortoises, including four stolen in May from the San Dimas Canyon Park Nature Center, from the back yard of a center volunteer Friday, officials said.
Michael Lenain, 30, was in custody at the Los Angeles County Jail for other violations when deputies found the six tortoises at his home after receiving an anonymous tip, Sgt. Pete Solis said.
Lenain has been charged with receiving stolen property, a felony that carries a penalty of up to a year in state prison or county jail, Solis said. The tortoises were healthy and munching grass back at the center Friday afternoon, park ranger Bill Lutton said.
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